Sunday, February 10, 2008

A doctor accused of organizing illegal organ transplants in India has been deported following his arrest in Nepal.

Amit Kumar was detained late on Thursday, accused of heading an illegal kidney transplant ring in Gurgaon, a wealthy suburb of New Delhi.Police said they were investigating whether Mr Kumar was involved in illegal transplants in Nepal, and that he had been trying to flee to Canada.

Mr Kumar has denied the accusations of illegal practices."I have not committed any crime," he said at a news conference in Kathmandu on Friday.India bans trade in live kidneys unless the organ is donated by a blood relative or a spouse, or if two families agree a swap.

But many continue to sell their kidneys to satisfy demand from rich clients, including Westerners, waiting for transplants.In January, police raided an illegal clinic in Gurgaon after being tipped-off by a victim. Four people were arrested.

The donors were allegedly paid up to $2,500 (£1250).Authorities in Nepal displayed bundles of foreign and Indian currency that they said were worth more than $200,000 and had been seized from Mr Kumar on his arrest.